Member Guidelines

Globalwide HealthShare was founded on the belief that communities can come together to share in each other's healthcare costs — a model rooted in mutual aid, faith, and shared responsibility.

The concept of health sharing is not new. For centuries, communities of faith and mutual aid societies have pooled resources to care for one another in times of need. Globalwide HealthShare carries that tradition forward into the modern era, combining the spirit of community with the tools and transparency needed to make it work for today's families.

Globalwide Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation organized to facilitate the sharing of medical expenses among its members. We operate under the principle that people who share common values and a commitment to healthy living can effectively and affordably share in each other's healthcare costs — without the overhead, profit motive, or bureaucracy of traditional insurance.

Since our founding, we have grown into a nationwide community of members who trust one another to contribute faithfully and share generously. Every dollar contributed by a member goes directly toward sharing the eligible medical expenses of fellow members — not toward executive salaries or shareholder returns.

Our mission is to provide a community-based, faith-friendly alternative to traditional health insurance — making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for individuals and families across the country.

We believe that healthcare should be a shared responsibility, not a financial burden carried alone. By bringing together a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to healthy living and mutual support, we create a system where everyone benefits — and everyone contributes.

Globalwide HealthShare is committed to:

• Providing transparent, easy-to-understand membership guidelines
• Processing sharing requests promptly and fairly
• Keeping monthly contribution amounts as low as possible
• Treating every member with dignity, respect, and compassion
• Operating with full financial transparency as a nonprofit organization

We are guided by the values of community, transparency, fairness, and faith. Every decision we make is rooted in our commitment to serving our members with integrity and compassion.

• Community: We believe in the power of people helping people. Our members are not customers — they are neighbors, partners, and fellow participants in a shared mission.
• Transparency: We publish our guidelines, sharing limits, and financial practices openly. Members always know exactly how the program works and what to expect.
• Fairness: Every member is treated equally. No one is singled out for higher contributions because of a health condition, and no sharing request is denied without a clear, guideline-based reason.
• Faith: Our program is rooted in the belief that caring for one another is a moral and spiritual calling. We welcome members of all faith backgrounds who share this commitment.
• Stewardship: As a nonprofit, we are responsible stewards of every dollar contributed. We work diligently to keep administrative costs low so that more of each contribution goes directly to sharing.

Membership in Globalwide HealthShare is a voluntary commitment to participate in a community of individuals who agree to share in each other's eligible medical expenses according to these guidelines.

By joining, each member agrees to the following principles:

• To make monthly contributions faithfully and on time
• To submit only legitimate, eligible medical expenses for sharing
• To provide accurate and complete information on all membership and sharing request forms
• To maintain a lifestyle consistent with the values of the community
• To treat fellow members, staff, and healthcare providers with respect
• To understand that Globalwide HealthShare is not insurance and that no member has a legal obligation to share in the expenses of another

These principles are the foundation of the trust that makes health sharing possible. When every member upholds them, the community thrives and everyone benefits.

Membership is open to individuals and families who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Agreement to the Globalwide HealthShare Statement of Beliefs
• Commitment to a healthy lifestyle consistent with membership guidelines
• Completion of the membership enrollment form with accurate and complete information
• Payment of the first month's contribution at the time of enrollment
• Residency in the United States
• Agreement to these Member Guidelines in their entirety

Globalwide HealthShare does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, national origin, or disability status. Membership is available to individuals of all ages, from newborns to seniors. There is no maximum age limit for enrollment.

Membership becomes effective on the first day of the month following receipt of the completed enrollment form and first month's contribution, unless otherwise specified at the time of enrollment.

Membership is available to individuals, couples, and families. The following membership types are available:

• Individual: A single adult member
• Couple: Two adult members in a committed relationship
• Family: Two adults and their dependent children under age 26
• Single Parent + Children: One adult and their dependent children under age 26

No member is ever removed from membership, nor is their monthly contribution increased, solely because of an expensive health condition. Members may add qualifying dependents (newborns, newly adopted children, or newly married spouses) within 30 days of the qualifying life event without a waiting period.

Members who wish to cancel their membership may do so at any time with 30 days' written notice. Contributions already made are not refundable, but sharing requests submitted prior to cancellation will continue to be processed according to these guidelines.

The Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) is the portion of eligible medical expenses that a member is responsible for before the community begins sharing. The IUA applies per incident — not per year. A single illness or injury, regardless of how many provider visits it involves, counts as one incident.

Members may choose from the following IUA levels at the time of enrollment:

Members may change their IUA level once per year during their membership anniversary period. A higher IUA results in a lower monthly contribution amount. Members should choose the IUA level that best balances their monthly budget with their expected healthcare needs.

When a member incurs eligible medical expenses that exceed their chosen Initial Unshareable Amount, they may submit a Sharing Request. The process is designed to be simple and straightforward.

1. Notify Globalwide HealthShare of the medical event within 90 days of the date of service
2. Request an itemized bill from your healthcare provider (not just an Explanation of Benefits)
3. Complete the Member Sharing Request form, available in the Member Portal or by contacting our team
4. Submit the completed form along with all itemized bills and supporting documentation
5. Receive a confirmation number and estimated processing timeline from our team
6. Track the status of your request in the Member Portal

Sharing requests are typically processed within 30 business days of receipt of all required documentation. Members will be notified by email of any missing documents or additional information needed. Once approved, sharing funds are disbursed directly to the member or provider within 10 business days.

Members are encouraged to notify providers that they are self-pay patients and to request the self-pay discount rate, which is often significantly lower than the insurance-billed rate. Globalwide HealthShare will share based on the negotiated or self-pay rate when available.

A pre-membership medical condition is any condition for which a member has, within the 24 months prior to their membership start date: been examined, received a diagnosis, taken prescription medication, experienced symptoms, or received medical treatment.

Members with pre-membership conditions are still welcome to join the Globalwide HealthShare community. Sharing for pre-membership conditions follows a graduated schedule:

Conditions that have been symptom-free and treatment-free for more than 24 months prior to enrollment are not considered pre-membership conditions and are fully eligible for sharing from the first day of membership.

Globalwide HealthShare shares 100% of eligible medical expenses above the member's chosen IUA. The following categories of expenses are eligible for sharing:

• Inpatient hospitalization and associated physician fees
• Outpatient surgery and same-day procedures
• Emergency room visits for acute illness or injury
• Urgent care visits
• Physician office visits (primary care and specialist)
• Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound)
• Laboratory and pathology services
• Prescription medications related to an eligible sharing incident
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation (when medically necessary)
• Mental health and behavioral health services (up to program limits)
• Ambulance services (ground and air when medically necessary)
• Durable medical equipment (when prescribed by a physician)
• Maternity care (subject to enrollment waiting period — see Section 13)
• Newborn care for the first 30 days of life

All sharing is subject to the member's IUA, the terms of these guidelines, and the availability of community funds. There are no network restrictions — members may see any licensed provider of their choice.

The following expenses are not eligible for sharing under the Globalwide HealthShare program:

• Cosmetic or elective procedures not medically necessary
• Experimental or investigational treatments not approved by the FDA
• Injuries or illnesses resulting from illegal activities
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Dental care (except injuries to natural teeth resulting from an accident)
• Vision care and corrective lenses
• Hearing aids and routine hearing exams
• Fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization, or assisted reproduction
• Weight loss programs, bariatric surgery, or obesity-related treatments (unless medically necessary and pre-approved)
• Long-term care or custodial care
• Expenses covered by another insurance policy, workers' compensation, or government program
• Routine wellness exams beyond the preventive services listed in Section 12
• Prescription medications for chronic conditions not related to an eligible sharing incident
• Medical expenses incurred outside the United States (except emergency care)

This list is not exhaustive. Members are encouraged to contact Globalwide HealthShare before incurring significant medical expenses to confirm eligibility. Pre-authorization is available for planned procedures.

Globalwide HealthShare supports preventive care as a cornerstone of healthy living. The following preventive services are included as part of membership benefits and are not subject to the IUA:

• Annual wellness exam (one per member per year)
• Routine blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings
• Age-appropriate cancer screenings (mammogram, colonoscopy, Pap smear, PSA)
• Immunizations and vaccinations recommended by the CDC
• Well-child visits and developmental screenings (ages 0–18)
• Prenatal care visits (subject to maternity enrollment requirements)
• Diabetes prevention screenings for at-risk members
• Tobacco cessation counseling (up to 8 sessions per year)

Preventive services must be performed by a licensed healthcare provider. Members should inform their provider that they are a self-pay patient and request the self-pay rate. Preventive services that reveal a condition requiring further treatment are subject to the standard sharing guidelines, including the IUA.

Maternity expenses are eligible for sharing for members who have been continuously enrolled for at least 300 days prior to the estimated due date. This waiting period applies to both the primary member and any spouse or partner on the membership.

Eligible maternity expenses include:

• Prenatal office visits and routine prenatal labs
• Ultrasounds (up to 2 per pregnancy, or more if medically necessary)
• Hospital delivery (vaginal or cesarean section)
• Midwife or birthing center delivery
• Postpartum care visits (up to 6 weeks after delivery)
• Newborn care for the first 30 days of life (included in the maternity incident)
• Complications of pregnancy that require hospitalization

Members who become pregnant before meeting the 300-day enrollment requirement may still submit a sharing request, but sharing will be limited to complications of pregnancy only — not routine maternity care.

To add a newborn to the membership after delivery, the member must submit a membership enrollment form for the baby within 30 days of birth. Newborns added within this window are covered from birth without a waiting period.